Driver in wrong-way Fall River chase wanted in connection with 8 bank robberies

Emergency crews are on the scene of a head-on crash in Fall River that ended a high-speed pursuit by federal and state authorities this evening. According to State Police, the FBI spotted the suspect of several bank robberies driving a gray, late-model Chrysler 300 on Route 24. State Police joined the ...

State Police said they apprehended a suspected bank robber at gunpoint following a head-on crash in Fall River that ended a high-speed highway pursuit by federal and state authorities from Raynham early Monday night.

According to State Police, the FBI spotted a man suspected of several bank robberies driving a Chrysler on Route 24 southbound in Raynham on Tuesday afternoon. State Police joined the chase, following the vehicle until it exited the highway in Fall River, where it crashed while traveling the wrong way on Bedford Street.

Authorities identified the suspect as Scott Niemic, whose last known address was in Boston.

He was transported under police guard to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, where he was expected to be treated and discharged. He will then be turned over to Warwick, R.I., police, who have a warrant for his arrest on a bank robbery charge, State Police spokesman David Procopio said.

No charges besides that warrant were divulged.

About a dozen State Police and at least one FBI agent were on the scene shortly before 5:30 p.m., in front of the Central Fire Station on Bedford Street, where Niemic’s car had been driving the wrong way at a high speed when it crashed.

Authorities were pursuing the suspect for his alleged involvement in seven bank robberies in Massachusetts and one in Rhode Island. State Police are not disclosing the locations of those robberies because the investigation is ongoing, Procopio said. The FBI is also involved with the investigation into the robberies.

A state trooper said they recovered funds, and bills were visible from the opened Chrysler, according to a witness. It was not known how much was recovered.

“Physical evidence was recovered from the car at the scene of the crash,” Procopio said. “No further information about the evidence is being released.”

The driver traveled the wrong way on Bedford Street. crashed into another car at the Troy/High streets intersection, and took down the latter pole stanchion.

Firefighters used extrication tools to remove victims from the two cars, according to District Fire Chief Douglas Sullivan, who said both drivers were taken to hospitals.

“I heard the crash. I came downstairs and State Police were already here,” Sullivan said.

State Police reported that Niemic “suffered minor injuries when he crashed. No one else was injured,” according to their press release.

Rescue crews with State Police nearby removed the suspect from the full-sized Chrysler with Massachusetts plates that authorities said they were pursuing. Both front airbags in that vehicle deployed on impact.

The front ends of both cars were demolished.

The driver of the second car, a red Ford Contour compact, traveling in the correct direction toward downtown, was extricated by firefighters who removed the driver’s side door. State Police did not identify him.

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Fall River Police were summoned to assist at the crash scene, but officers there and at headquarters said they had no knowledge about the circumstances or how the suspect entered the city from the highway.

“It’s strictly the State Police,” said a sergeant on the city force, who declined to give his name.

State Police said they towed Niemic’s car to their facility, where it will be processed for evidence by forensic specialists and the Bristol County State Police Detective Unit.

The investigation is ongoing by troopers and agents assigned to the FBI’s Robbery/Violent Crimes Task Force, State Police detectives, Troop D of the State Police and Warwick Police.